The taciturn, dryly humorous Sherrill and the outgoing, riotous Husky have disparate personalities and loosely connected legacies, but each is known for his genre-shaping role in country music’s evolution.

Husky, 84, is a groundbreaking artist whose smash hit “Gone” was at the forefront of the elegant “Nashville Sound.” Sherrill, 73, was a songwriter, executive and producer who built on that sound, helmed landmark recordings including the 1980 George Jones hit “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and had a hand in penning dozens of high-charting country songs.

“I’m just happy to see this happening, finally,” said Jones, sitting next to Sherrill. “He was Mr. Nashville, as far as I’m concerned.”

“That’s the only good thing I’ve ever heard him say about me,” Sherrill grumbled, flashing a quick half-smile at his old friend.Continue reading →